Washing machine



Aug. 11, 1942. e. w. .JOHNSON 2,292,787

WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21. '1940 zwang-sheet 1 A115111, '1942- G..w.'JoHNsoN 2,292,787

WASHING MACHINE Filed Ju 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR BYGEORGE W. JOHNSONv Patente'dAug. 1l, 1942 iiNlTED. STATES FATENT .QFHCE y access? I V WASHING MACHINE George W. Johnson, Cincinnati, h10, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company,

Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio l Application June 21, 1940, Serial No. 341,630

12 Claims. (Cl. 68144 This invention relates to washing machines of 'the type known as tubless or shell-less washers.

in a machine thus designated a single container, usually cylindrical, performs both the function of the rotatable. inner goods-containing cylinder and the outer stationary water containing shell of the conventional type of Washer. In the older tub type machine which was provided vwith a rotating container within a stationary member, the rotating container was necessarily perforate to K allow ready access of detergent to the goods.

In the newer, or tubless, type the usual practice has been to eiect the entry and discharge' of detergent through aspassageway centered in trunnions in the axis of rotation of the washer. The present invention comprises a novel and more simple and eiiicient means for Supplying and discharging the detergent.

1 have discovered that continuous operation may be maintained,.without the use of trimnions or other complicated apparatus, by providing the cylindrical periphery of the washer with an opening, or a series of openings for the passage of detergent and using aexible belt, embracing the said periphery and openings as a sealing means for a substantial extent Vof the Other'more specic objects and advantages `will be apparent from the following description oiI an embodiment of my invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a front elevation of the washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is an elevation looking at the left end of the machine, partially broken away to show parts in section along the lin 3 3 of 2;`.

Fig. 4 is an elevation looking at the right end of the machine,-partially broken away to show other parts in section on the line 4-8 of Fig. 2;

lower portion of the cylinder in the zone of said openings.

One object of my invention, therefore. is to nprovide a tubless type Washer with peripheral lopenings to permit the passage of detergent therethrough.

Another object is to providea washer with openings of this nature which may be sealed by a flexible belt. I

Another object of the invention, therefore, is

f to aiord improved apparatus for introducing and discharging the detergent during operation of the Washer. f

Another object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus'for partially or completely discharging the detergent while the washer is continuously operated.

A further object'of my invention is to provide improved means for permitting excessdeter gent to overflow during continuous operation, and independent means for permitting complete discharge of the main volume of detergent.

A further object is to provide a novel entry chamber for detergent, the liquid sealing means for which serves also as a driving means for the rotatable washer.

A further objectl is to achieve the simplicity of tubless operation while attaining the advantages enumerated above.

Fig. 5 is a detail view'of the drive belt adjusting means;

Fig. 6 shows a modied form of a belt operating mechanism shown in Fig. 4; while Fig. 7 is another-modification of this mechal nism.

it is to be understood that wnne I hat@ found it convenient to use the specic construction now to be described, the sealing means described for the several ends of the machine are interchangeable, and it is not necessary, for instance, that the entry and discharge apertures ybe placed at the ends of the cylinder. Basically the invention resides in the conception of avalvedperiphery, operable While the machine continues to operate.

The'drawings illustrate a tubless type washer comprising a rotatable 'cylinder assemblysupported upon left and right frames Il and i2, secured in rigid relationship by the tie rods I0. These frame lmembers carry bearings I3 and I4 in which the cylinder assembly I5 rotates.Y

The left end header I6 of this assembly is made up of two circular disk walls or bulkheads il and I8 secured together by a hub portion I9 and spaced by webs 20. The cuter disk Il is imperforate, and supports gudgeon 2| which is journalled in the bearing I3. The inner disk I8 is foraminous, being proyided with perforations 22 positioned toward the outer edge of said disk, butinterrupted opposite the ends of the ribs 54 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The peripheral edges 23 of the adjacent faces of the disks II and I8,

are bevelled to match the bevelled edges of a V-type belt 22a and provide a seat for said belt.

As shown in Fig. 3, this belt extends about twoof the disk I8 serves as the end wall for the working chamber and is provided with a flange 25 to which the cylindrical wall 25 is secured.

-It is desirable that belt adjusting means be provided, which in the embodiment illustrated takes the following form.' As shown in Fig. 3, the belt 22a. runs over four sheaves 2B, 21, 28 and 29. The first three are mounted for rotation on stub shafts supported by the frame Ii. The sheave 29 is mounted for rotation on a stub shaft 3l! supported by an arm Si pivotally mounted on the frame II at 32. On the other end of the stub shaft 30 is fixed a'sprocket 33 connected by a chain 3B to a sprocket pinion 35 fixed to the v driving shaft of the motor 36. The casing 3l' otally connected to it, as shown in Fig. 5, a rod 39 which ilts through a hole in a bracket 49 on the frame II. The upper half of this hole is coimtersunk to form a socket into which fits a block 4I engaged on its upper face by a handwheel 42 threaded on the rod I9.

In addition to providinga drive for the cylinder, the belt 22a also functions as the circumferential wall of the narrow cylindrical compartment formed bythe disks I1 and I9; while in operative position the belt 22a acts to seal this compartment against the escape of liquid.

Water, washing supplied, and steam are admitted to the cylinder by injection into this compartment 43 and thence flow into the cylinder proper through the perforations 22. The water header is .shown at 44 supplied by hot and cold water under the control of valves l5 and 4,6. Washing supplies, such as soap, soda, etc., are injected into the compartment 43 through the supply bowl 41 which is provided with a water spray line I8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Steam is supplied through a line 49 under the control of a'valve 50. The line extends downwardly and then circumpreferably equally spaced tterearound, is a row of holes or perforations 55.

The outer diameter of the head E: greater than the diameter of the cylinder 25, "aus providing one means of forming a flange i which is matched by another ange 51, formen' by a peripheral angle spaced inwardly from thi` and head` and secured to the outer surface of the cylinder wall. Between these flanges lies a belt 58. This belt embraces a substantial portion of the perforated zone of the compartment 59 formed by the wall 53 and the head 5I. As shown in Fig. 4, this belt extends about two-thirds,of the way around the cylinder and, when in contact, forms a seal around the lower portion of the compartment 59 to prevent the passage of the liquid in the cylinder through the perforations 55. The face of this'belt engaging the cylinder should be of a resilient character so that it will form a good seal.

As shown in Fig. 4, this belt runs over flanged pulleys 50, 6I, 82 and il. Pulleys 80, 6I and 62 are rotatably mounted on stub shafts supported by the frame I2. Pulley 5l is rotatably mounted on an arm 64 which is pivotally mounted on the frame I2. Pivotally connected to this arm at 65 and to the frame at is a linkage in the form of a toggle, comprising members 61 and 68. The toggle knuckle is joined by a rod 69 with a lever 1o at the front of the machine. This lever is pivotally mounted on the frame and is provided with a latching mechanism comprising the n'ger 1I and a xed tooth member 12 on the frame.

With the toggle in the position shown, the belt of water through the perforations 55.- This acts ferentially around the webs 20 into the lower part of the machine at a height which would normally be covered by the liquid in the cylinder. The steam, therefore, may be injected directly into theliquid.

The right end head 5I has an inwardly extending fiange 52 to which the other end of the cylinder wall 25 is secured. Spaced inwardly from this end head is a circular partition wall 53.

'I'his is also secured to the inner peripheral suri face of the cylinder wall 25. It is perforated, as shown, except at the places opposite the ends of the ribs 5l. Four such ribs are shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but the number may be varied. It should be noticed also, that the parts of the disk II opposite the ends of these ribs are also imperforate.

In-the fabrication of the machine. all connecting'joints between the ribs and disk I 8 on the one end, and the partition 53 on the other end, should be soldered, or otherwise sealed to prevent leakage to theinterior thereof. l

In the peripheral surface of the cylinder wall A 2l, between the partition 53 and the head 5I, and 75 mechanism.

as a valve which may be operated while the machine is running. Further straightening of the toggle from the belt tight position, shown in Fig. 4, provides for normal stretch of the belt during use.

In Fig. 6 a modified form of beit operating mechanism is shown. In this, the upper link comprises a rod 13 which extends through a hole in the swivel block 14 on the arm 54. A spring 15 is interposed between a nut on the rod and the swivel block. In thiscase, .the toggle is moved over center and the pressure of the spring is applied to tighten the belt. A clearance 16 is provided to compensate for a normal stretch of the belt.

Fig. 'I shows a further modification which embodies power operation of the belt operating In this arrangement, a pivotally mounted block 11 on the ann 94 is connected by a cable 18 with a spring 1l which is suiliciently stressed in the position shown to hold the belt 58 in sealed engagement and with suiilcient reserve to compensate for normal stretch. 'I'he block 11 is also connected by a cable 80 with a crank arm 9| which'is ilxed to a shaft I2 on which is a worm gear in mesh with a worm 94 on the shaft of a motor l5. The connection of the cable 99 withthe crank is a block 99 which is adjustable in a slot in the crank. This provides an adjustment for movement of the arm N. When .the motor is energized, the crank is rotated tightening the cable Il and pulling the arm 64 downwardly against the tension of the spring 19. This movement is suiilcient to lower the belt -58 for discharge of liquid.v vSlack is provided in the cable Sli to insure sealing contact of I the belt t.

To operate this mechanism to move the belt 55 to the discharging position, opening ports 55,'

, When the crank has revolved 180, representing discharge position of the belt 58, the cam 90 engages switch 93 causing it to open and breaking the circuit to the motor.

To return the belt to sealing position, the push button 8l is again depressed. This again energizes the motor 85, as previously described. -As the crank begins rotation, the cam 90 moves away from the switch 93 'permitting it to close. The circuit is `then through wire 88, wire 92, switch B3, wire 9d, switch 9|, wire 95 to Le. When the crank has again rotatedA 180, the belt assumes a sealed position, the cam 90 opens switch 9| and the motor stops.

The above described tension releasing devices for the sealing belt provide a liquid discharging means for this type of washer which discharge means may be operated to discharge theliquid content at any time without stopping operation or rotation of the cylinder.

To provide for `a constant level overflow rinsing when such is desired, an opening 96 is provided in the head 5|. Spok'es 91 connect the outer portion of` the head with the inner portion to which the gudgeon 98 is xed. The outer diameter or rim of the opening 96 is such as to prevent overow in the normal levels used in the batch suds, and rinsing operations.

In the continuous iiow type of rinsing, after the level has reached the outer rim of the opening 95, a continuous discharge of the liquid takes place; the rate of ow is governed by the in`- ow of the fresh water; asubstantially constant level of circulating water is thereby maintained. The inow, of course, maybe intermittent, in which case discharge occurs during the inflow. A housing 99 is provided at the right end. This completely encloses the discharge openings for batch and continuous operations, 'and conducts the discharge liquid to the drain, or to a filtering device for reuse, as desired.

The cylinder 25 is provided with a sliding door l. This is arranged to slide around the cylinder in guideways I0| to and from the closed position. Brackets |02 are provided at each side into which a cross beam |03 ts, when the door is in the closed position. A clamp, here shown as a hand-wheel |04, is provided. This wheel is on a shaft which is threaded in the beam |03. The inner end of the shaft engages the door so that when the handle is turned the door is forced against the cylinder Wall to seal it in closed position. Proper sealing gaskets may be provided between the door and the cylinder.

It is apparent that the apparatus ydisclosed herein permits continuous operation', while providing means forintroducing detergent in any desired quantity, and `further means for discharging either a surplus quantity, or the total' permit passage of detergent, and flexible belt means embracing said cylinder in the zone of said openings and forming a liquid seal for the lower volume of detergent, even while the machine is in'operation. The specific construction disclosed herein eliminates the necessity for centered conduits such as heretofore used for introduction and/or discharge of detergent while providing positive control, variable'at will, over such introduction and discharge.

What I'claim is:

1. A tubless type washer comprising a rotatable cylinder, the cylindrical periphery thereof being provided with at least one opening. to permit passage of detergent, and flexible belt means embracing said cylinder in the zone of said opening and forming a liquid seal for the lower portion thereof.

2. A tubless type washer comprising a rotatable cylinder, the cylindrical periphery thereof being provided with a plurality of openings to portion thereof.

3. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with a foraminous cross wall forming communicating chambers, one of which serves as a liquid iiow control chamber therefor, said control chamber opening outwardly, and ilexible belt means partially embracing the cylinder'opposite the lower-portion of the opening to the control chamber to seal the same during cylinderrotation.

4. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with a foraminous cross wall forming communicating chambers, one of which serves as a liquid ow control chamber therefor, said control chamber opening outwardly, flexible belt means partially embracing the cylinder opposite the lower portion of the opening to the control chamber to seal the same during cylinder rotation, and adjustable means for movingsaid belt intoV and out of contact with said cylinder.

5. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with a foraminous rotation.

6. A tubless'washng machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with a foraminous cross wall forming communicating chambers, one of which serves as a liquid iiow control chamber therefor, said control chamber opening outwardly, and exible belt means partially embracing the cylinderJ opposite the lower portion of the opening to the control chamber. to seal the same during cylinder rotation, and adjustable means for varying the circumferential extent of sealing contact between the belt and the cylinder during cylinder rotation.

'7..A tubless washing machine comprising ya rotatable cylinder provided with a foraminous cross wall forming. communicating chambers, one

of which serves as a liquid ilow control chamber A periphery of said cylinder during operation there- 8. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with two foraminous cross walls forming three communicating chambers, two of which serve as liquid ow control chambers therefor, said control chambers opening radially outwardly in a direction normal to the axis of rotation of said washing machine, and iiexible belt means partially embracing the cylinder opposite the lower portion of the openings to said control chambers to seal the same during cylinder rotation.

9. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with two foraminous cross walls forming three communicating chambers, vtwo of which serve as liquid ilow control chambers therefor, said control chambers opening radially outwardly in a direction normal to the axis of rotation of said washing machine, ilexible beltmeans partially embracing the cylinder opposite the lower portion of the openings to said control chambers to seal the same during cylinder rotation, and adjustable means for moving saidbelts into and out of contact with said cylinder.

10. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder provided with two foraminous cross walls forming three communicating chambers, two of which serve as liquid ilow control chambers therefor, said control chambers opening radially outwardly in a direction normal -to the axis of rotation of said washing machine,

' seat, said seat foraminous and forming the end romane cyunder, two vertical 'bulkhead at one end thereof forming therebetween a liquid entry chamber, the inner one ofsaiddisks being wall of a working chamber, the said entry chamber being open at its periphery, the said disks having bevelled portions at their adjacent circumferential edges. a V-type belt embracing the lower portion of said circumferential edges and seated therein in liquid sealing relationship and adjustable means out of contact with said seat. I

l2. A tubless washing machine comprising a rotatable cylinder, a vertical bulkhead intersecting the cylinder axis near one end thereof to divide the cylinder into a working chamber forming the major portionof said cylinder and a discharge head. said bulkhead being foraminous, external anges around the periphery of said discharge head forming therebetween a seat, a yresilient belt embracing'the lower portion of said having perforated portions at spaced points around its periphery, and adjustable means for moving said belt into liquid sealing relationship with 'said lower portion of said circumferential seat.

GEORGE 'W. JOHNSON. 

